In my house a food coma can happen anytime. We've had summer swim party guests fall asleep in the living room after eating cheeseburgers and sausage sandwiches. On Thanksgiving we credit the amino acid tryptophan with making us sleepy. Turkeys contain tryptophan. Over eating in general can also make us sleepy. As the delicious food at my summer barbecues seems to prove. So how can you avoid a food coma on Thanksgiving? Here are 4 things you can do:
1) Eat three meals on Thanksgiving Day. Don't starve yourself until the Turkey is done. Have a nice breakfast and lunch. Then you won't over do it during the big feast.
2) Enjoy your favorites. There's plenty of other food put out on Thanksgiving. Have some nice appetizers before dinner.
3) Put more veggies on your plate and have some salad. Green bean casserole, corn pudding and broccoli and cheese are Thanksgiving treats too.
4) Plan to be active. If the weather is nice take a walk or play some football. Believe it or not, I usually go out and do some fall yard work.
One more thing. If you're around relative and people who make you bite your tongue. Go ahead and give yourself a food coma. You'll get into less trouble that way.
Source: Real Simple